17 Years Later: Rockaway Remembers 9/11

Typography

Share This

It was a somber morning on Tuesday, September 11, and the dreary weather was fitting as crowds gathered around Tribute Park to remember those who were killed in the attacks on September 11, 2001. Although it has been 17 years since that tragic day, Tuesday’s ceremony proved that Rockaway hasn’t forgotten.

Community leaders, first responders and neighbors filed in to Tribute Park on Tuesday morning for a ceremony that included bagpipers, raising the flag to half staff, the reading of the names of those killed that were from Rockaway, along with the placing of roses around the memorial compass in the center of the park, plus music by Aerial Acoustics, including Dorothy Wagner and Dennis Smith, with the vocals of Chazmond Peacock and Steven Wagner.

Community Board 14 chairwoman Dolores Orr announced that Tuesday would be the last time the community will have access to the 9/11 Tribute Park on Beach 116th Street for some time to come. Due to severe damage from Hurricane Sandy and subsequent storms over the years, the park is in need of a major facelift, and will be closed for about two years for renovations to take place.